In 2025 I would like to improve my skills in CInema 4D, Specifically, product renders and interiors. I recently did a personal project where I designed my garage and added a workstation and storage, and I am not happy with the render quality. The Friends Giving project I did at the end of 2023 had a slightly better render quality, but even that one wasn’t 100% photo-realistic. 

So my goal for 2025 is to be able to create photo-realistic renders, and this is how I plan on doing it. 

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Step 1: Foundation Building

Learn Basics:
Familiarize yourself with your renderer of choice. I will be using Cinema 4D because it is a common 3D program used in my profession and my job pays for it. It is a pretty expensive program, if I didn’t get it for free, I would go with Blender. It’s free and just as powerful.  

Understand 3D Theory:
‍Study lighting, materials, composition, and camera settings. I double majored in Graphic Design and Photography so I think I got this part down. 

Books on lighting

Lighting for Cinematography

By David Landau 

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Step 2: Focus on Modeling

Product Renders:
‍Practice modeling objects like bottles, electronics, and furniture. Use splines and NURBS for precise shapes.

Interior Renders:
‍Work on architectural elements like walls, windows, and furniture. Explore parametric modeling for quick adjustments.

This step can be skipped if you only want to learn to render. You will either have to purchase models or find free 3d models. Since I am not the best modeler I will be purchasing models from CG Trader. I want to get better at Render THIS YEAR! And a good render uses good models. I don’t think I can become a good modeler in a year. It’s probably possible but I just do not have the time.  

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Step 3: Master Texturing and Materials

• Experiment with creating realistic textures using the Node Material Editor or Redshift if available. Since I am using CInema 4D redshift renderer is the logic choice, because it comes native to CInema 4d. 
• Use PBR (Physically-Based Rendering) workflows for photorealism.
• Download and analyze material presets to learn how they are built.

Textures and the ‘node system’ situation are some of the most complicated things I have come across when working in CG. So this is one thing I am going to have to force myself to take the time and improve. I have been using the GreyscaleGorilla textures in their Plus library. This is a paid service but again my job pays for it so for the moment I can use it as a cruch. 

GreyscaleGorilla

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Step 4: Lighting Techniques

For Products:
Study studio lighting setups. Learn about three-point lighting and HDRI maps for reflections.

For Interiors:
Master natural and artificial lighting. Experiment with area lights, global illumination, and volumetric effects.

I think I a going to find some cool Behind the Scenes lighting technics and try to recreate them. 

@behindthescenegram

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Step 5: Rendering Engines

• Explore advanced rendering engines like Redshift, Octane, or Arnold if your hardware supports it.
• Dive into render settings like samples, denoising, and GI for optimizing output quality and speed.

I am using Redshift renderer so technically I have nothing holding be back in this area. 

The Ultimate Render Engine Comparison for Architects

By Upstairs

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Step 6: Compositing and Post-Production

• Render in multipasses (e.g., reflections, shadows) and composite in software like Photoshop or After Effects for final touch-ups.

I have used both Photoshop and After Effects for Post-Prodyuction, and I am familiar with the multipass feature in Redshift, but need to brush up on what to do with the passes in these programs. 

Every KeyShot Render Pass Explained & How to Use Them

By Will Gibbons | 3D Rendering

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Step 7: Follow Tutorials and Courses

• Check out platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, and Greyscalegorilla for Cinema 4D-specific tutorials.
• Focus on tutorials for product and interior rendering to understand workflows and techniques.

For the tutorials, I am going to try to stick to only tutorials from Greyscalegorilla. They seem to be quality tutorials and I have access to them so it’s only logical to take advantage of having access to these tutorials. 

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Step 8: Join Communities

• Participate in forums like CGSociety and Cinema 4D Cafe.
• Join social media groups to share work and get feedback.

I am pretty anti-social these days, so I will not be posting my work anywhere for feedback except for my website. But I will be posting them on Instagram so if you see any of my work feel free to give it a like. 

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Step 9: Practice Projects

• Product: Create renders of a branded product line, including packaging and close-ups.
• Interior: Recreate a real room or design your own interior space.
• Aim for photorealistic results and focus on details like imperfections and wear.

I will eventually do a couple of practice projects and will circle back and add the links here once they are done. 

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10: Set Goals and Challenges

• Enter rendering challenges online.
• Set deadlines for personal projects to maintain momentum.

I have entered two Render challenges from Pwnisher over on Youtube. I will participate in another one at the end of the year and compare it to the previous two I have done to see how much I improved. 

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Closing

Creating photorealistic renders requires a combination of technical proficiency, artistic vision, and a commitment to continuous learning. I want to see dramatic improvements to my renders within a year, but after making this list of things that can help me improve, I now think it might take two years. But hopefully, by mastering the principles outlined in this guide and dedicating time to practice, I can make some dope renders!

This article has one or two affiliate links, but Greyscalegorilla is not one of them. I know I mentioned them multiple times in the article. I am just really excited to improve my skills, and I think Greyscalegorrilla Plus can help me do that. 

I hope this list was helpful! Happy rendering!

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